How do I re-blacken the inside of some Riteway sheet film holders?

[AtlantaTerry]

I was cleaning some used 4x5 sheet film holders that I bought from an eBay seller.

To my great surprise when I was cleaning the inside of some of the Riteway holders the black coating of the area behind the film came off. I was using 1x1 inch alcohol swabs from the grocery store which are saturated with 70% Isopropyl Alcohol.

Note: when I used premoistened cleaners that are designed for LCD screens, electronics, etc. the black did not come off. Lesson learned.

So now how do I re-coat the holders? The first idea I have is to mask off most of the sheet film holders then use a fine spray mist of flat black paint to coat the now shiny metal.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

Terry Thomas...
the photographer
Atlanta, Georgia USA

[Jim Noel]

Go to a model Railroad shop and get a bottle of "Blacken It". It will blacken any metal, and is not a paint.

[Tin Can]

I use 2 inch wide permanent markers from an Art store for a lot of things I want black. Stuff is easy to use and dries thin. Made in Japan, I got mine from Dick Blick Art supplies. No mess.


I was cleaning some used 4x5 sheet film holders that I bought from an eBay seller.

To my great surprise when I was cleaning the inside of some of the Riteway holders the black coating of the area behind the film came off. I was using 1x1 inch alcohol swabs from the grocery store which are saturated with 70% Isopropyl Alcohol.

Note: when I used premoistened cleaners that are designed for LCD screens, electronics, etc. the black did not come off. Lesson learned.

So now how do I re-coat the holders? The first idea I have is to mask off most of the sheet film holders then use a fine spray mist of flat black paint to coat the now shiny metal.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

Terry Thomas...
the photographer
Atlanta, Georgia USA

[AtlantaTerry]

Randy,

OK. I tried a couple black Sharpie markers but they don't work well. What happens is they start to lay down some black but then start to remove the blacking that is next to the new black from the Sharpie. Dang!

Thanks anyhoo.

[Ian Gordon Bilson]

I share your pain about learning how isopropyl works as a solvent on some paint finishes.
Maybe Riteway used acrylic ?

Lighter fluid (Naptha) is safer,mostly.
Masking and spraying would be the way to go,but I don't see real Matt as the best option -the 50 year old bottle of "Johnsons of Hendon -Dead Black " I have has a real tooth to it ; can't imagine sliding a sheet of film across it.
I think a thin mist of spray in semi-gloss enamel would get you back on track - it looks more like the very slight sheen the OEM used.
Be sure to use very fine abrasion to remove the dust nibs you will find after the paint job.

[N Dhananjay]

Be careful with the paint as it often builds up which means your ground glass-film plane registration could go out - the bare minimum required and use steel wool or some other mild abrasive to sand back to smooth. DJ

[gleaf]

I have a couple of Riteway's, -Bay sourced, in rough shape. Looks like aluminum oxide rearing its grey head through the backing. Does anyone have access to the original Riteway coating name or recipe? Might be mixable and then you could air brush it.

[gleaf]

PS. the telescope fellows say Deep Black optical paint aka black chalkboard paint works well even to blocking IR and near IR wavelengths.

[paulr]

I've used markers called paint markers. They're much more opaque than a sharpie. But that blackening stuff from the hobby store sounds like it would be worth a try.

[Tin Can]

Here is what I actually use, name brand 'Hardcore' 50mm, water based ink, waterproof, right off the applicator. Did a search, looks like it's discontinued, even the website is gone. Made in Japan, really good stuff, now I will save mine for delicates.

I'm sure this would have worked. no isopropyl. I still would try a big art store or a place that sells art paper and/or calligraphy tools.

This website was also on it. http://typeholics.de/

Now that I think of it they must have decided to change the name, as Hardcore is just porn or punk.




Randy,

OK. I tried a couple black Sharpie markers but they don't work well. What happens is they start to lay down some black but then start to remove the blacking that is next to the new black from the Sharpie. Dang!

Thanks anyhoo.

[Ivan J. Eberle]

There are wooden Riteways that might have shellac finish that would be removed with IPA or xylol (Sharpie). These would have been originally painted with the cured finish thickness factored into to spec for film registration. Then there also modern ones of plastic. These shouldn't have paint on them. Which is the OP looking at? Personally I wouldn't screw around with 4x5 ones if they're worn... Or if anyone painted and then sold them. They were expendable items that need to hold a spec precisely. When they're worn out, replace them.

[Ginette]

My opinion too that it is better to replace instead of have uneven exposures.
How many do you need? Post a WTB Riteway holders. Keep the slides, discard the frame.

[AtlantaTerry]

use steel wool

I would not use steel wool on any of my camera gear. This is because the little fibers left behind will rust thereby damaging my equipment. What I would use is stainless steel wool, instead.

For the purpose of this discussion I would, instead, try an extremely fine grade of emery cloth or possibly sandpaper.

[AtlantaTerry]

Which is the OP looking at?

I only use plastic 4x5 sheet film holders. If I buy a batch of holders from an eBay seller, I set aside any wooden ones because I have read that they can warp over time.

Since everything on the Internet is true, that should apply to wooden film holders as well.

[AtlantaTerry]

Which is the OP looking at?

I only use plastic 4x5 sheet film holders. If I buy a batch of holders from an eBay seller, I set aside any wooden ones because I have read that they can warp over time.

Since everything on the Internet is true, that should apply to wooden film holders as well.

[AtlantaTerry]

oopsie! Sorry about the duplicate entry. My computer locked up as I was typing. I guess the website's Auto Save feature retained the posting.

Is there any way I can remove the duplicate?

[Doremus Scudder]

I've had good luck with Rustoleum brand flat black spray paint. Mask the outside edges of your holders, spray lightly and you're good to go.

Doremus

[AtlantaTerry]

Doremus,

That is exactly what I had in mind.

Thank you for backing me up on this.

:)